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external image 5theme1.gif

Picture citation: http://geography.mrdonn.org/5theme1.gif

1. Location- highlights how the geographical position of people and things on the Earth's surface affects what happens and why
  • Absolute Location provides a definite reference to locate a place(latitude/longitude)
  • Relative location describes a place with respect to its environment and its connection to other places.
  • Location Theory- a logical attempt to explain the locational pattern of an economic activity and the manner in which its producing areas are interrelated

2. Human-Environment Interactions- reciprocal relationship between humans and environment and how the human modifys to it

3. Region- an area on the Earth's surface marked by a degree of formal, functional, or perceptual homogeneity of some phenomenon
  • Formal Regions- are those that are designated by boundaries (Ex: cities, states, counties, and countries); they are clearly indicated and publicaly known
  • Functional Regions- a region deifined by the particular set of activities or interactions that occur within it (connections)
  • Vernacular Regions- perceived regions, they have no formal boundaries (Ex: The "South", "North". and the "Midwest")

4. Place- uniqueness of a location
Two types:
  1. Physical Differences- include mountains, rivers and wildlife and things that occur naturally
  2. Human Differences- are things that have changed due to people, such as roads and buildings
  • Sense of Place- state of mind derived through the infusion of a place with meaning and emotion by remembering important events that occurred in that place or by labeling a place with a certain character
  • Perception of Place- belief or "understanding" of a place that is developed through books, movies or media

5. Movement- travel of people, goods and ideas from one location to another (Ex: America's westward expansion and immigration)
  • Distances:measurement of the physical space between two places
  • Accessibility:the degree of ease with which it is possible to reach a certain location from other locations; varies from place to place and can be measured
  • Connectivity: the degree of direct linkage between one particular location and other locations in a transport network

These themes can be answered using these questions:
  1. Location: Where is it located?
  2. Human- Environment Interactions: What is the relationship between humans and their environment?
  3. Region: How and why is an area similar to another?
  4. Place: What's it like there?
  5. Movement: How and why are areas connected to each other?


In addition to these themes--- Landscape is a core element of geography it refers to the material character of a place, the complex of natural features, human structures, and other tangible objects that give a place a particular from.
  • Cultural Landscape: the visible imprint of human activity on the landscape (Ex:)
  • Sequent Occupance: the notion that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, each contributing to the cumulative cultural landscape


FIVE THEMES VIDEO:



Citations:
  1. http://geography.about.com/od/teachgeography/a/5themes.htm
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_themes_of_geography
  3. http://www.una.edu/geography/statedepted/themes.html
  4. http://www.csustan.edu/teachered/facultystaff/betts/handouts/pdfs/five%20themes%20of%20geography.pdf